Jane Anne Randolph cheers on Robert Earl Keen at the Tower of Gold Stage at last year’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival. Photo: Mason Trinca, Special to The Chronicle

What is Hardly Strictly Bluegrass?

Drawing an estimated audience of 500,000 over the first weekend in October, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival is one of the highlights of the Bay Area fall entertainment calendar.

Founded by the late investment banker Warren Hellman in 2001 as a gift to the people of San Francisco, what was formerly a one-day concert with eight acts in a quiet corner of Golden Gate Park has become a huge annual fete that boasts more than 80 acts performing across six stages over three days — all for free!

The 18th annual edition of the outdoor festival, running Friday-Sunday, Oct. 5-7, features an eclectic lineup highlighted by Grammy-winning musicians Alison Krauss and Jeff Tweedy, the eccentric English musician Robyn Hitchcock and Roky Erickson, the reclusive Texan leader of the ’60s psychedelic band the 13th Floor Elevators.

Steve Earle performs with his band, the Dukes, during the second day of the 2014 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in Golden Gate Park. Photo: Leah Millis, The San Francisco Chronicle

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Hellman created an endowment to ensure that Hardly Strictly would continue as a free event for the city of San Francisco after his death in 2011.

Apart from the addition of a few food trucks, the festival hasn’t changed much over the years. There are no corporate sponsors. No alcohol is sold. No shuttles zooming around the park. It remains a relatively congenial event. The neighbors don’t complain about it nearly as much as they do the Outside Lands festival, which draws only a fraction of the Hardly Strictly crowd.

Nick (left), Keira, Katy and Zoe Murray of San Francisco enjoy the final day of the 2014 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in Golden Gate Park. Photo: Terray Sylvester, The Chronicle

What’s the vibe?

Families, dogs, teens, hipsters, hippies and everyone in between pours into Golden Gate Park for three peaceful days of free music, which plays nonstop across six stages in Marx and Lindley Meadows and Hellman Hollow (named in honor of festival founder Warren Hellman).

The weather in October is typically warm and pleasant, which means festival diehards may encounter serious pedestrian gridlock while racing from stage to stage. But most people come early, stake out a nice spot on the lawn (or the hills and even dotting the treetops around the meadows), spread out a blanket and simply take in the surroundings.

Be aware, however, that Hardly Strictly often coincides with San Francisco Fleet Week, which means planes overhead often interrupt sets. On the bright side: You get to experience two San Francisco events at once.

John F. Kennedy Drive is jam-packed during a performance at the Banjo Stage at the 2017 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival. Photo: Mason Trinca, Special to The Chronicle

How do I get there?

Public transportation to Golden Gate Park is highly recommended. Several roads in the park will be closed during the festival, including John F. Kennedy, Transverse and Middle West drives. The designated ride-hailing, drop-off and pickup location is Balboa Street and 30th Avenue.

Muni is likely the best bet. Those heading to the north side of the park from downtown should take the 5-Fulton bus (or the 5L, which should be a tad faster), which picks up riders at McAllister and Larkin streets, one block up from the Civic Center BART Station. Drop-off is at 30th Avenue and Fulton Street.

For those who plan to take the train to bus, or south to north, the Muni Metro N-Judah line provides access to the Sunset District side of the park. Festivalgoers can pick up the N-Judah next to the Caltrain station at Fourth and King streets — or at any of the downtown BART/Muni Metro stations — and take it to any number of stops adjacent to the park.

Muni lines 1, 5, 7, 21, 28, 29, 31 and 38 will also get you within walking distance of the festival site.

Bicycling is also a great option. There are four main bicycle parking areas; three are self-service bike racks and one is valet.

Though many park roads will be closed to the public, festival organizers expect that the shuttle service within the park will be running as usual. Check the festival’s official online map for stop locations.

Olivia Hellman (at left, in red dress) performs with her sister Laurel Hellman, her aunt Nancy Hellman Bechtle and cousins Sam, Frankie and Matthew Gibb in the Go to Hell Man Clan at the 2016 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival. Photo: Catherine Bigelow, Special to The Chronicle

What are the food and drink options like?

No alcohol will be for sale in the park, but alcohol is allowed as per park rules: no hard alcohol or glass allowed; beer and wine in non-glass containers.

Food vendors will be on site, but don’t expect gourmet options like at ticketed festivals such as Outside Lands and BottleRock Napa Valley.

Gaurav Marwaha gives his dog, Oscar, a sip of water during the third day of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in 2014. Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

Before you go…

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is a family-friendly festival, but children and leashed dogs should be comfortable with very large crowds, loud music and extreme weather conditions.

While it is admission-free, there are a few basic rules: No smoking. No busking. No camping. No solicitation. No saving spaces. Coolers, small blankets and short-backed chairs are allowed.

The key is to be considerate to the people around you. Hardly Strictly is known as a mellow affair — it’s important to keep it that way.